Tesco UK boss steps down after throat cancer diagnosis
The former boss of Booker, Charles Wilson, had been tipped to replace group chief executive Dave Lewis.
Tuesday 10 July 2018 13:44, UK
Tesco's UK chief executive Charles Wilson is stepping down聽after being diagnosed with throat cancer.
Mr Wilson was the chief executive of Booker Group before its £3.7bn takeover by the supermarket giant.
He was diagnosed with cancer after an operation to remove his tonsils in April.
Tesco said he had been undergoing daily radiotherapy in May and June and was responding well to treatment.
"All the signs are the treatment has been successful," Tesco said in a statement.
However, Mr Wilson will be stepping down from the Tesco board so that he can "remain vigilant in his recuperation".
Mr Wilson, who had been tipped by analysts to replace Dave Lewis as chief executive of Tesco, will remain on the Tesco executive committee and focus on the Booker business.
Clive Black, retail analyst at the stockbroker Shore Capital, said: "We are totally shocked by the news that Tesco's CEO for the UK & Ireland, Charles Wilson, has been diagnosed with throat cancer."
He added: "Mr Wilson is an outstanding businessman but more importantly a great bloke. Therefore, like everyone, our overwhelming emotion is to wish him the best possible recovery.
"In this respect we are most encouraged to see the report of his successful initial treatment."
Jason Tarry, currently Tesco's chief product officer, will become the chief executive of Tesco UK.